Exploring Your Vocation

Why does Calvin College think vocation is important?

At Calvin College we know that it's not just about "getting a job." We think all our work-whether as students, carpenters, violinists, teachers, or politicians-offers opportunities to serve God's kingdom. In Engaging God's World, a book assigned to all first-year students here, Dr. Neal Plantinga says,

"A Christian's main vocation is to be a prime citizen in the kingdom of God. (A prime citizen is a person who accepts Jesus' commission to strive first for the kingdom of God and his righteousness as the kingdom's agents, witnesses, and models.) Christians follow their main vocation by playing a lively part in institutions and endeavors that consciously or not seek the interest of the kingdom."

Vocation is far more than occupation, and a college education is far more than job training. Students and faculty are "called to bring their gifts, talents, energy, time, and insights to the work of the kingdom." Does that sound too complex? We think the Lilly Vocation Project will help our students and faculty untangle and understand what it really means to serve the kingdom of God through your vocation.

How does this vocation project fit into what we are already doing at Calvin?

Vocation exploration is in the air we breathe at Calvin. The Developing a Christian Mind course explores this idea of vocation. You've probably talked with your adviser about declaring a major or minor. Maybe you've joined a department retreat for declared majors and professors who want to think intensively about how scholarly choices affect their future. You talk about potential futures with your friends and family. This project offers a more organized way to help you delve deeper into vocation.

What programs are available to students?

This grant has allowed Calvin College to:

support and enhance student Christian formation
provide enhanced Christian direction for student organizations
fund additional student retreats
begin a worship apprentice program
initiate a youth ministry program
initiate a Jubilee Fellows program
assist in creating ministry internships

What programs are available to faculty?

The grant also supports faculty scholarship and development with the Vocation Venture Fund and the Faculty/Staff Retreats.

I would like to explore some of these options. What should I do?

Read these web pages carefully and follow the links to other websites.